Glow and slow acting tube



Aug. 19, 1947. J. H. HOMRIGHOUS 2,

GLOW AND SLOW ACTING TUBE Filed June 24, 1944 FIG 6 l INVEN TOR.

Patented Aug. 19. i947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GLOW AND SLOW AQJTINGTUBE John H. Homrighous, Oak Park, Ill.

Application June 24, 1944, Serial No. l1,94l

l (Jlaims.

This invention relates to radio tubes and more particularly to radiotubes for converting changing electrical energy into variable lightvalues.

One or the objects of my invention is to provide in a radio tube ananode member comprising luminescent or phosphorescent material ofrelative slow decay for maintaining its brilliancy substantiallyconstant over a period of time after its energizing circuit has beeninterrupted.

Another object of my invention is to provide a multi-element radio tubehaving a luminescent anode member and a photo electric device con--trolled by the intensity of light on the luminescent member.

Another object of the instant invention to provide an improved glow tubefor recording variable intensities of light on a moving film inaccordance with sound vibrations.

Another object is to provide in a radio tube means for extending theperiod of time of an impulse applied to its control electrode.

Various circuit arrangements have been de vised for delaying or shiftingpulse intervals but none of those circuits employ a radio tubecomprising members for causing pulse delay or pulse interval extensions.

The above mentioned objects and others will be obvious from thefollowing description in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the radio tube.

Figure 2 is a top View of the radio tube in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a circuit diagram showing method for extending the period oftime for an impulse.

Figure l shows a modification of the radio tube.

Figure 5 is a top view of the tube in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a circuit diagram showing method for varying lightintensities in accordance with sound vibrations.

Figures 1 to 3 show a radio tube for prolonging or extending the periodof time of impulses applied to its control grid by coating the metallicanode with luminescent material of relatively slow decay so that theluminescent material will retain its brilliancy for a period of timeafter its energizing circuit has been interrupted, to producesubstantially constant flow of current through an associated photoelectric device.

Figures 4 to 6 show a modification of the radio tube in Figures 1 to 3.The modification primarily consists of omitting the photo cell andcoating the metallic anode with luminescent material of relatively fastdecay so that light changes may be recorded in accordance with theelectrical changes on the control electrode.

In the drawing Figures 1 to 3, the numeral l represents an evacuatedbulb having a stem 2 for supporting the various electrode members. Thecathode 3 may be indirectly heated by the filament d. Surrounding thecathode 3 is the spiral wire control grid 5. Adjacent one side of thecontrol grid is the anode 5, comprising a fine wire mesh coated withluminescent or phosphorescent material of relatively slow decay. Ashield I may be provided partly surrounding the cathode and grid todirect the electrons emitted from the cathode 3 toward the plate oranode 8. Sup ported on the opposite side of the anode 5 is a photoelectric device comprising the cathode 8 and the anode 9 arranged to beactuated only by the light radiating from the luminescent material onthe wire mesh or gauze comprising the anode 6.

The several tube elements are mounted on and held in proper position bythe member it of insulating material. The mounting it! is secured bysmall rods l l and 52 to the glass stem 2. ,Conductors from theindividual tube elements are extended through the glass stem 2 to thebase it of the tube where they are terminated on terminals extendingfrom the base.

Referring to Figure 3 the operation is as follows: any variation ofpotential on grid 5 will cause a similar variation in the anode 6 outputcircuit. However, since the luminescent coating on the anode Sis ofrelatively high persistence, rapid fluctuations in current flowingthrough the tube may produce a light or glow from the anode ofrelatively even value. Should impulses of wide separation be applied tothe grid 5 the duration of the light or glow from the anode would be fora longer period of time than the duration of the voltage impulsesapplied to the grid. Therefore since the cathode 8 receives light fromthe anode 6, the output from the photo electric device would be inaccordance with the duration of the light or glow on the anode 6. Forinstance, a potential change similar to that indicated at It may producein the photo electric device an impulse of longer duration similar tothat shown at E5, and impulses of long duration,

but spaced relatively close together similar to those shown at It andapplied to the grid may produce in the photo cell a continuous anduniform output or an impulse of longer duration may be produced as shownat H.

Referring to the improved glow lamp or tube Figures 4 to 6 the numeral[8 represents an evacuated bulb or envelope having a stem IQ forsupporting the various electrode members. The

' cathode 29 may be indirectly heated by the filament 2|. Surroundingthe cathode 20 is the wire control grid 22. Near the end of the glassbulb is the anode 23 constructed with a wire mesh or gauze filled orcoated with luminescent material'of relatively fast decay. Surroundingthe cathode and grid is a beam forming plate or shield 24 electricallyconnected to the cathode for directing the electrons toward the anode.

The various tube elements are mounted on and held in proper position bythe member 25 of insulating material. The mounting member 25 is securedby small rods 26 and 21 to the glass stem I9. The rods 26 and 21 alsosupport the anode 23 in top of tube with the rod 21 serving as aconductor for the wire gauze in the anode 23. The lower opening of theguide or shield 24 may be shielded by the closure plate 28 on under sideof member 25. The shield 24 and the plate 28 are electrically connected.

Referring to Figure 6, the operation is as follows sound signals fromthe microphone 29 after suitable amplification at 30, are applied to thecontrol grid 22 to vary the number of electrons flowing from the cathode29 to the anode 23. The anode 23 is responsive to the fluctuations ofpotential in the grid 22 or to the intensity of the electrons reachingits surface to change its brilliancy.

This glow tube is primarily for recording sound effects on a movingpicture film and it is placed inside of a container 3| as shown inFigure 5. In the end of the container there is a narrow rectangularaperture 32 so that a film traveling in front of this aperture may havedifferent degrees of brilliancy recorded in the sound track area on thefilm.

The embodiments of the invention which have been given herein areillustrations of how the various features may be accomplished and theprinciples involved. It is to be understood that the invention containedherein is capable of embodiment in many other forms and adaptations,without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A radio tube comprising a cathode capable of emitting electrons, aluminescent coated anode sensitive to emissions from said cathode tocause the anode to glow, a control grid surrounding said cathode tocontrol the electrons flowing to said anode, and a photo electric devicehaving a rod like anode partially surrounded by a photo cathode forreceiving light rays from said luminescent coated anode, therebyproducing electron flow from the photo cathode to the rod like anode.

2. An electron tube comprising a cathode capable of emitting electrons,and a luminescent coated anode, means for heating the said cathode todrive off electrons, a shield electrically connected to said cathode fordirecting said electrons toward said anode, a source of currentconnected between the said anode and the said cathode to produce a flowof current therebetween to cause the said anode to glow, and a controlelectrode surrounding said cathode capable through applied signals tovary the current flow from said anode to said cathode.

3. In a slow acting radio tube, a first cathode, a control electrodesurrounding said cathode, a first anode provided with a coating ofluminescent material of relatively slow decay, means for heating thesaid cathode to drive off electrons, a source of current connectedbetween said anode and said cathode for producing a fiow of currenttherebetween to cause said anode to glow, a signal input circuitincluding said control electrode for varying said current flow, a photoelectric cell comprising a second anode partially surrounded by a secondcathode for receiving light rays from said first anode to produceelectron emission to the second anode representative of the intensity ofthe rays, and means including the luminescent material on said firstanode for maintaining the intensity of the light directed from the saidfirst anode to the said second cathode substantially constant duringrelatively fast variations in signal input.

4. A radio tube comprising a cathode for emitting electrons, aluminescent coated anode of relatively slow decay sensitive to emissionsfrom said cathode to cause the anode to glow, a shield electricallyconnected to said cathode for directing the said electrons toward thesaid anode, a control electrode disposed between said cathode and saidanode, a signal input circuit including said control electrode forvarying the electrons reaching said anode, a photo electric deviceadjacent to and adapted to be actuated by light rays from said anode,and means including the luminescent coated anode for maintaining theintensity of the light directed from said anode substantially constantduring variations in signal input.

JOHN H. HOMRIGI-IOUS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,122,268 Wagner June 28, 19382,239,769 Batchelor Apr. 29, 1941 2,156,813 Kautz May 2, 1939 2,143,527Schmidling Jan. 10, 1939 1,999,653 Case Apr. 30, 1935 1,850,467 NakkenMar. 22, 1932 2,039,134 Waldschmidt Apr. 28, 1936 2,243,408 Anderson May27, 1941

